Three driving schools in Toronto have had their licences to train new drivers revoked in 2025, according to a recent report. This action is part of a broader enforcement trend by the provincial government, which has now revoked the permits of 66 driving schools across Ontario since 2007.
Provincial Standards and Enforcement Actions
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) mandates that all driver education courses must comply with established government standards. Schools that fail to meet these requirements during regular audits can face sanctions, with the most severe being the revocation of their operating licence. The ministry's website confirms that it reviews complaints against specific schools and instructors as part of its oversight.
While the recent CityNews report did not name the three Toronto schools that lost their licences this year, it highlighted a provincial database listing revoked institutions. Notably, the majority of the 66 schools on this list are located within the Greater Toronto Area. A point of confusion identified in the report is that some schools appear on both the province's revoked list and its list of approved schools, sometimes even sharing the same address.
Ongoing Scrutiny of Driver Training
The MTO states it conducts regular audits of the 1,414 government-approved driving schools across Ontario to ensure continued compliance. The focus on maintaining standards has been particularly sharp in the commercial truck driving sector recently.
Last year, an investigation by CBC Marketplace, based on a leaked memo, revealed probes into "inappropriate and illegal behaviour" by some Ontario driving examiners. Allegations included accepting bribes to pass students, manipulating documents, and falsifying driver experience records. This scrutiny underscores the high stakes of proper driver training and certification.
Implications for New Drivers
For individuals seeking driver education in Ontario, these revocations serve as a critical reminder to verify a school's standing. Prospective students are advised to consult the MTO's official list of approved schools to ensure they are enrolling in a legitimate program. The licence revocations demonstrate the ministry's active, though sometimes inconsistent, role in policing the industry to protect consumer safety and uphold training quality.
The removal of three Toronto schools in 2025 signals that the government continues to enforce its regulations, aiming to ensure that new drivers on Ontario roads receive education that meets provincial benchmarks for safety and competency.
